To #BreakTheBias, there are a few basic things that we can do such as educating the young by giving talks about gender issues or even bringing up the topic for discussions in classrooms. Just like the saying, ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’, teaching about this from young becomes all the more essential. Other than that, everyone must call out inequality so that people can reflect on their own behaviour.
Of course, these things may not be enough sometimes as the problem’s a deep-rooted issue that’s a lot more complex. However, if everyone takes part in making a change, there’d only be progress, slow or otherwise.
Here’s my take on how we can make a bigger impact towards issues with gender equality in Malaysia and why we need to #BreakTheBias.
Gender Biasness Among Political Leaders
Did you know that patriarchal values are still being advocated by ministers in Malaysia?
In February 2022, the Malaysian deputy minister for women, family, and community development, Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, shared a video on Instagram titled ‘Mother’s Tips’ advising men to reprimand their wives by ‘gently’ hitting them if they don’t behave. On the flipside, she advised women to be demure, patient, and submissive in view of how her husband’s temperament is like.
The video has since received backlash from the public for encouraging domestic violence but it has also gained support by some conservative ministers. And this isn’t the first time something of similar nature sparked controversy.
In 2020, she also shared posters on how women should ‘behave appropriately’ around their husbands at home during the COVID-19 lockdown in Malaysia.
With political leaders being the face of the country, their words naturally have a huge impact and influence on the nation. Messages like these not only perpetuates biases amongst many in the community, it also puts women in danger.